How well do you know yourself?
(2 minute read)
There may be some days when you find yourself resenting certain aspects of your work. Then you tell yourself to be grateful and you stop those thoughts. After all, it could be worse.
But at the end of your working day, do you feel satisfied and comfortable with what you’ve spent your time and energy on? Or do you finish your work and dart towards some worthwhile distraction to prevent you from acknowledging your growing dissatisfaction?
Symptoms of having a LOW level of professional motivation
- We dread Monday mornings
- We feel lethargic
- Time goes slowly
- We do the minimum
- Working seems to drain us
- Our confidence is easily knocked
- We might moan a lot or even get into conflict with people
- We are not entirely productive
- We might take time off for stress
- We keep thinking about leaving/doing something else
Symptoms of having a HIGH level of professional motivation
- We look forward to being at work
- We feel energised
- Time goes quickly
- We go the extra mile
- Work is easy
- We take on new things
- People like being with us – we are enthusiastic!
- We are as productive as we can be
- We are rarely off work from stress
- We look forward to our next projects
Here’s a simple question for you
If in six months from now your professional situation is the same as it is today, which of these options will resonate with you?
- A) You will not be in the same professional situation because you are already germinating ideas and action plans!
- B) You will feel perfectly comfortable because actually you’re fine with not liking your work very much
- C) You will feel rubbish for not having taken any useful action about it
Explanations:
- ANSWER A) You will not be in the same professional situation because you are already germinating ideas and action plans!
I have met people who are sufficiently out of sync with what they’re doing and confident enough to do something about it. That could mean that they have have conversations with their manager about changing roles, hours, teams, or asking for training or a pay rise. Then they make a decision to leave or stay based on the outcome.
However, when people already know without question that they want something else, they see no reason in delaying looking for an alternative opportunity, join a franchise or start a new business
- ANSWER B) You will feel perfectly comfortable if you are in the same professional situation in June because you’re actually at peace with not liking your work very much.
I have met people who acknowledge that they dislike their jobs, yet openly say they will never leave because overall, it suits them and the lifestyle they have. I have realised that unlike me, some people just don’t need to feel passionate about how they earn their living. And that’s ok with me if it’s ok with them!
- ANSWER C) If you are still in this situation in June, you will feel rubbish for not having taken any useful action about it
I have met people who don’t like their jobs a lot of the time, claim to want something else and year on year stay there anyway.
1. It might be that they are frightened that after all this time with that company/industry/qualification/ that they feel unsuitable for anything else. So they stay because of fear of rejection and the longer they stay, the bigger the fear grows.
People who stay in their dissatisfying role through habit and fear need to find courage and confidence in their abilities, values and transferable skills.
2. It might be that their current role is actually the role of their dreams and yet their continuous questioning clouds their comfort. It was right for them once, but is it still right for them now?
People who question their compatibility with their long-standing role need to formally benchmark their role with their current mindset. Otherwise they will never have that peaceful certainty that their past decision is still valid today.
If you answered A) and you know exactly where you’re heading, I wish you well on your journey! You may need help preparing for your new role and might like the fine tuning services that most Career Coaches can provide as can I: CV, LinkedIn profile, cover letter and prepare you thoroughly for interviews.
If you answered A) and you have no idea where you’re heading, you might appreciate the benefit and speed of an ISO accredited tool which, along with my brand of insight provides a snapshot of what you need for future professional fulfilment. This is my Career Change Clarity Service. I only work with a few clients at a time, so the first step is to book a to see if we’re a good fit.
If you answered B) I doubt you’ll actually be reading this article, but if you are, enjoy what you can at work and for the sake of your colleagues, please minimise moaning!
If you answered C) and you are only staying in your role because you are unsure of your abilities, you could benefit from gradually building up your professional self-confidence skills. There are lots of videos, books and other sources of inspiration. It will take time, but your comfort zone will expand and so will your joy in all areas of your life.
If you answered C) and you think you might actually really like your role, you would benefit from removing uncertainty and formally benchmark it against your current mindset through the Career Change Clarity Service I offer. I can only work with a few clients, so the first step is to book a to see if we’re a good fit.
It would be my privilege to be your champion and your guide as we discover what professional direction suits you best and how to prepare yourself to get there.
Why be worried when you can be relaxed in your search? Why flounder when you can flourish?
Read what clients have said about my results